Soumya murder case: No death sentence for accused who raped, pushed her off a moving train

On 15 September, the Supreme Court scrapped the death sentence given to convict Govindachamy in Soumya murder case. The apex court, however, held him guilty of rape.

Soumya, an employee of a shopping mall in Kochi, was raped and murdered on 1 February 2011. Sowmya, who was 23 then, was pushed off the Ernakulam-Shoranur passenger train while she was returning from Ernakulam after work.

The Thrissur Fast Track Court in November 2011 awarded death penalty to the accused which was upheld by the Kerala High Court in December 2013.